Births?

[PeaceFire]

My husband and I were trying to have a baby for a while (no luck, turns out to be a blessing as the hubby lost his job recently) and during all of that I was planning on a home birth and really researching that. I came across one midwife who offered a birthing photographer.

This was the first time I've ever heard of someone being a birth photographer, and I'm wondering if anyone here does that. It's something I would be very interested in getting into. I'm thinking the best way to go about it is to contact a few midwifes and finally go to those events for the Meet-Up Group I've been a member of for 6 months, but is there really a market for this sort of thing?

[breathless]

There is a niche market for just about anything. I know of one photographer whose primary business is shooting only birds and clouds, then making cards and calendars. Another guy shoots old cars at car shows for their owners. Common traits between the two gents; they're both passionate about what they do and invest much time in their business.

If you have a passion for maternity photography and have talent in producing a good product, there will be clients who want your service.

Business is much about relationships between you and the clients, marketing, advertis... blah blah blah. You know this part already, I'll stop.

[thegaa]

My husband and I were trying to have a baby for a while (no luck, turns out to be a blessing as the hubby lost his job recently) and during all of that I was planning on a home birth and really researching that. I came across one midwife who offered a birthing photographer.

This was the first time I've ever heard of someone being a birth photographer, and I'm wondering if anyone here does that. It's something I would be very interested in getting into. I'm thinking the best way to go about it is to contact a few midwifes and finally go to those events for the Meet-Up Group I've been a member of for 6 months, but is there really a market for this sort of thing?

I've done birth photography. It's an amazing experience... there is a niche for it as mentioned above. Not many people can be on call for the hours, etc. I've contemplated it extensively as I'm a mother of three. THe formula that may work for someone is to have a tandem team- when meeting the potential clients, both would attend, one being the alternate and explained that way.

I do think the connection aspect is the key in such an intimate experience. Not many people are super excited about it, but done right, it captures one of the most amazing events in life, right?

[TheGreatOg]

Being that we're both photographers, when it came time for my twins to be born it was inevitable that my husband's 40D would be in the delivery room. Thank gosh his daughter was there to shoot for us, I needed his attention on ME. We cherish those pictures and our subsequent shots above all others. If someone had offered to be a birthing photographer for us and we felt comfortable with them and knew their style was subtle and classy like the photos posted above I would have definetly hired them. As said, it's a niche market. But I'm willing to bet it's very rewarding to all involved. Best of luck!

[hmcart]

I think there is but I know here there are a lot of restrictions on when photos can be taken in the hospital.

[mom2jnsta]

I am a doula and have been offering birth photography to my clients since I got my slr. The response has been fantastic! I am still learning and growing and "make them no promises" as my primary role is labour support, but I am usually able to get a few shots that the parents love. I would love to chat more about this and see what is working for others that are doing this!

[PeaceFire]

Oh great! I wanted to speak to someone who worked in the field. Would you feel comfortable if someone contacted you and mentioned these services and wanted you to refer them to your clients? I want to ask, I'm just afraid of what might be considered "proper procedure" in this matter. I have never done a birth before so I want to do a free session for someone to dip my toes in, so I'm sure there's *someone* that will take me up on it, I'm just not sure if I should advertise on my own or go through a doula or midwife.

[mom2jnsta]

Having connections in the birth world would be a great way to start, I think. Talking to doulas and midwives in your community and putting the word out that you are looking to get some experience and are willing to offer your services for free would allow you to get your feet wet.
The toughest thing, I think, is figuring out the $$ stuff. It is tough living on call, being available to your clients 24 hours a day, for weeks at a time, for who knows how long (some births I have attended have been 40+ hours) and still make money, KWIM?

As a doula I am there anyway...but it then adds to my time spent with the postprocessing of the pictures too. <<sigh>> It is definitely not a "get rich quick" proposal LOL.

As a doula, I would be open to having a aspiring birth photographer contact me and ask about referalls. In fact, right now, I do tell my doula clients that if they want specific photos taken and they are really important to them, to hire someone to do just photos so I can concentrate on the labour support side. I am a doula first so I will not compromise that work to "get the shot".

Hope that helps!

If I lived anywhere near San Diego, you could come to my classes and advertise your services but, alas, I am much further north (I live in Manitoba Canada :) )

[TheHoff]

http://www.benfirmani.com/galleries/labour/

I covered my son's birth in a journalistic style; this is what I would hope to get out of a hired birth photographer.

[mom2jnsta]

Beautiful!! Can I ask what lens (s) you used? I have just started adding photos to my doula services and, of course, the biggest problem I have with hospital rooms is crappy florescent lights (very few of the birthing rooms in my community have windows in the labour rooms). I don't want to use a flash and blast the labouring mom so sometimes the photos aren't great. Any recomomendations for fast lenses that work great in low light would be appricated.

[PeaceFire]

Not a huge fan of all black and white pictures (eh, who am I kidding- I hate BW photography, I only do it because other people like it) but otherwise very beautiful! That's the general idea I have.

[PeaceFire]

And I'm really trying to go for homebirth over hospital birth because I personally feel that will allow me more creative freedom, but since that's not *that* popular yet I'll probably do a few hospital and BC births, too.

[TheHoff]

Beautiful!! Can I ask what lens (s) you used? I have just started adding photos to my doula services and, of course, the biggest problem I have with hospital rooms is crappy florescent lights (very few of the birthing rooms in my community have windows in the labour rooms). I don't want to use a flash and blast the labouring mom so sometimes the photos aren't great. Any recomomendations for fast lenses that work great in low light would be appricated.

Thank you! I used a 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 16-35/2.8 and an old manual 55/2 for some.

You need fast primes as this is a place where flash is out of place.


Not a huge fan of all black and white pictures (eh, who am I kidding- I hate BW photography, I only do it because other people like it) but otherwise very beautiful! That's the general idea I have.

Thanks. I'm not sure what to say when someone isn't a B/W fan... that is how I envisioned it looking from the start. It looks better at high ISOs, it is kinder to baby's skin which can be mottled... and it reduces some of the goo factor by removing the colour contrasts. Some of that was black and white film (HP5 and Neopan 1600) so not just digital conversions.

One thing that my wife loved from the photos is that I printed a hardcover book with Apple (or you can use another service) but it makes a nice keepsake vs. an album with prints.

[TheHoff]

Curious -- how long would you expect to stay at a job?

My coverage lasted 30+ hours and then 5 days after that to get all of the shots. Would you be called when she starts pushing? But then you miss the atmosphere beforehand and the preparations, etc.

Maybe people just want coverage after the fact? But then you won't have the moments right after birth and the first looks, etc. I'm not sure how you'd cover a birth unless you're there a long, long time (for first time mothers, at least). Being a photographer AND a doula seems like the best way you could cover it in the entirety.

[PeaceFire]

Nope, I'd plan to be there from the start of labor until the end- however long that takes. If it takes 50 hours- OK with me! I was thinking of being a doula, actually, but decided it wasn't quite for me. As someone who has never given birth, I would feel I was being a hypocrite giving advice to someone who is in labor. But this the main reason I want to focus mostly on home births- I can help out as well (cook, clean, assist where needed) and photograph the moment, so I can stay active the whole time. I imagine in hospitals there would be several "down" hours where I'd be doing nothing.

I can see how BW helps with the goo-factor. That's something to consider for sure!

[mircius]

http://www.benfirmani.com/galleries/labour/

I covered my son's birth in a journalistic style; this is what I would hope to get out of a hired birth photographer.


these are amazing shots!!!! i just love jurnalistic style and i tend to do the same.

[JennTut]

I just did my first birth shoot yesterday early early morning... it was the most awesome experience ever!